OUR VOLUNTEER TO THE HIMALAYAS

NSS SUMMER SPECIAL ADVENTURE COURSE JUNE, JULY 2012

(SKILL DEVELOPMENT: BASED ON ADVENTURE & OUTDOOR EDUCATION)

HIMACHAL -LAND OF THE SNOW LEOPARD

AJO THOMAS, AN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER OF THIS UNIT HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR PARTICIPATING IN  THE NATIONAL INTEGRATION CAMP TO BE HELD IN DHARMASALA,HIMACHAL PRADESH.
ONLY 4 SCHOOLS IN KERALA GOT THIS RARE CHANCE TO BE PART OF THIS AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME.
WE THANK ALL THOSE  WHO BLESSED US WITH THE PRIVILEGE.

LET US WISH AJO THOMAS  HAPPY JOURNEY ANS SAFE RETURN.
HIS CONTACT NO.IS 8547516792,EMAIL -ajothomas55@gmail.com.
HE LEAVES KERALA ON JUNE 14,2012 AND WILL BE  BACK ON 2/7/2012.
AJO ,WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR COURAGE AND SPIRIT.

Dharamshala is a city in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh, known mostly as the home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan Government since 1959. Dharamshala is a great destination for trekking. It leads trekkers across Dhauladhar into the upper Ravi Valley and Chamba district. For rock climbing enthusiasts it is a haven.

Major tourist attractions in Dharamshala are Masrur, Bhagsu Waterfall, Bhagsunag Temple, Kunal Parthi Temple, Chamunda Temple, Dal Lake, Triund and Naddi. At Masrur there are exquisitely carved monolithic rock temples. The Bhagsu Waterfallis worth a watch during monsoons when it turns into a cascade of 30 feet.  The Bhagsunag Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; just around this temple is a waterfall which attracts lot of tourists.

Dedicated to Goddess Kalpeshwari is the temple Kunal Parthi. It is believed that a part of Goddess Sati’s charred body fell here when Lord Shiva was carrying her. The Chamunda temple is located 15 kilometers away from Dharamshala. And according to mythology, Goddess Kali killed the demons Chand and Mund here.

The Dal Lake is bounded by rhododendrons, deodars and juniper forests. Triund is a trekking destination and offers magnificent views of mountains and valleys. Naddi is a scenic destination; it is a popular picnic spot. It is a delight for nature lovers and trekking enthusiasts. The view of the Kangra valley from this place is amazing.

Population:	19,124 (2001)
Airport:	Gaggal Airport located 15 km away
Railway station:	Pathankot (95 km)
Nearest Major City(s):	Mandi (147 km), Kullu (214 km), Manali (252 km), Chamba (192 km) and Shimla (322 km).
How to reach:	Dharamsala By Air Gaggal Airport in Kangra Valley (12 km), Delhi Airport is about 520 km away from Dharamsala. Delhi Airport is connected to all major cities in India and most of the foreign cities Dharamsala By Train Kangra Mandir Railway Station (22 km), but not all trains stop here. The major rail junction is Pathankot (85 km). Dharamsala By Bus Buses are available from Delhi (520 km)
Major Tourist Attraction:	Bhagsunag Falls, Dal Lake, McLeod Ganj, Jwalamukhi Temple, St. John's Church
Speciality(Famous for):	Tibetan settlements and the residence of Noble Laureate the 'Dalai Lama' and a great hill station.
Food Speciality:	Tibetian food

Himachali songs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHI2lDkx7rU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHI2lDkx7rU&feature=related
folk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqESbT6fJG4&feature=related

DHARAMSHALA

The High snow clad Dhauladhar ranges form a magnificent backdrop to the hill resort of Dharamsala. This is the principal township of Kangra district and overlooks wide spread of the plains. With dense pine and deodar forests, numerous streams, cool healthy air, attractive surroundings and the nearby snowline, Dharamsala has everything for a perfect holiday. It is full of life and yet peaceful. The headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama are at upper Dharamsala. Covering a wide area in the form of twin settlement, lower Dharamsala (1380m) is a busy commercial centre. While upper Dharamsala (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavor and colonial lifestyle. The charming church of St. John in the wilderness is situated here and this is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. There is also a large Tibetan community who have made this place their home. Numerous ancient temples like Jwalamukhi, Brijeshwari and Chamunda lie on the plains below Dharamsala.

ACCESS : Dharamsala can be approached by air from Delhi. The nearest airport is at Gaggal, 13 km away. Pathankot, the nearest broad gauge railway station is 85 km away and the toy train station is 17 km at Kangra. Taxis and Buses for Dharamsala are available at both places. From Pathankot the drive takes about three hours or you can drive from Delhi (526 km) via Chandigarh, Kiratpur and Bilaspur and takes 12 hours. From Delhi and Shimla luxury buses ply to Dharamsala. HPTDC operates a regular Luxury coach from Delhi to Dharamsala.

CLIMATE : In winter, the temperature can drop to freezing point when heavy woolens are required. During summer, the climate is mild and light woolens / cottons are recommended.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The variety Dharamsala offers for sightseeing ranges from temples, churches and monasteries to museums, ancient towns and places of natural beauty. Every season and every spot has its own special offering.

KANGRA ART MUSEUM, KOTWALI BAZAR : This treasure trove of the Kangra Valley displays arts, crafts and rich past, artifacts that date back to the 5th century. It includes a gallery of Kangra's famous miniature painting and a representative collection of sculptures, pottery and anthropological items. Shamianas and dresses used by local royalty, old carved doors, jails, lintels and pandals are also on display Coins, jewelry and manuscripts are included. A section houses the work of contemporary artists, sculptures and photographers.

WAR MEMORIAL : At there start of town, landscaped lawns and a web of narrow paths fill a pine grove where a monument has been raised to commemorate the post independence war heroes of Himachal Pradesh.

KUNAL PATHRI : A 3 km level walk from the Kotwali Bazaar leads up to this rock temple.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH : 8 km from Dharamsala, between Forsythganj and Mcleodganj is the charming church of St. John in the Wilderness. Under the shade of deodar branches, a memorial has been erected over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863. There is a well tended old graveyard on these grassy sloped.

MCLEODGANJ : Often called the Little Lhasa, at 1770m is the residence of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government in exile has been head quartered here for over three decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avaloktwshwara. The large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have enhanced the area. Tibetian handicrafts and garments are available on sale every Sunday. The Tibetian Institute of Performing Arts is just a km away and organises a ten day festival from the second Saturday of April.

DAL LAKE : 11 km from Dharamsala and surrounded by deodar trees this is an enchanting and serene picnic spot.

BHAGSUNATH : Close to fresh springs, this ancient temple is 11 km from Dharamsala. It is a popular picnic spot and the famous slate quarries are close by.

CHINMAYA TAPOVAN : 10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindusaras, is an ashram complex established by the late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita. The complex includes a 9 meter high image of Lord Hanuman, a magnificent Rama Temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation centre.

NURPUR : 66km from Dharamsala and 26 km from Pathankot, Nurpur is famous for old fort and a temple of Brijraj. Nurpur acquired its name in 1672, when Jahangir, the Mughal Emperor named it after his wife Nurjahan.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS : The temple of Jwalamukhi, Chamunda Devi and Brijeshwari Devi are other pilgrim centers close to Dharamsala. The fort of Kangra and Ma11ngarh are other attractions.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS : Between May and October, the Dhauladhar ranges offer an enormous variety of trekking and rock climbing.

FISHING : The 20 km stretch of the river Beas between Nadaun and Pong Dam offers ample opportunities in angling for Mahaseer.

SHOPPING : For local handicrafts visit Kotwali Bazar, Tibetan handicrafts and carpets are available at Mcleodganj.

Himachal At A Glance

History Pilgrimage Education Results General Administrative Structure Development Indicators Forest Cover Others The earliest known inhabitants of the region were tribals called Dasas. Later, Aryans came and they assimilated in the tribes. In the later centuries, the hill chieftains accepted suzerainty of the Mauryan empire, the Kaushans, the Guptas and Kanuaj rulers. During the Mughal period, the Rajas of the hill states made some mutually agreed arrangements which governed their relations. In the 19th century, Ranjit Singh annexed/subjugated many of the states. When the British came, they defeated Gorkhas and entered into treaties with some Rajas and annexed the kingdoms of others. The situation more or less remained unchanged till 1947. After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and Himachal Pradesh was formed on 15th April, 1948. With the recognition of Punjab on 1st November, 1966, certain areas belonging to it were also included in Himachal Pradesh. On 25th January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State. The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttarakhand on South-East and China on the East. General Location     Latitude 30o 22' 40" N to 33o 12' 40" N     Longitude 75o 45' 55" E to 79o 04' 20" E     Height (From mean sea Level) 350 meter to 6975 meter Population [2011-Census] 6856509 persons     Males 34,73,892     Females 33,82,617 Geographical Area [2011] 55,673 sq. km Density (per Sq. Km.) [2011] 123 Females per 1000 Males [2011] 974 Birth Rate (per 1000) [2002(P)] 22.1 Death Rate (per 1000) [2002(P)] 7.2 More Information of Census for Himachal Pradesh Administrative Structure [2002] State Capital Shimla No. of Districts 12 No. of tehsils 75 No. of Sub Divisions 52 No. of Blocks 75 No. of  Nagar Panchyats No. of  Gram Panchyats  No. of Villages 20118 No. of Towns 57 No. of Parliament Constituencies     Lok Sabha 4     Rajya Sabha 3 No.of Assembly Constituencies 68 Development Indicators Per Capita Income [2000-01] Rs. 10942 Literacy [2011] 83.78 %     Male 90.83 %     Female 76.60 % Total Villages Electrified 100 % Telephone sets  145505 No. of Hospitals  632 No. of Schools      Primary     Middle     High/ Higher Secondary Colleges     General     Medical 2     Engineering 4 Universities 4 No. of S.S.I. Units  30176 Land Use Pattern Net Area Sown  560154 Hects. Forest Cover [1996-97] Reserved Forests Area 1896 sq.kms. Protected Forests Area 43043 sq.kms. Unclassed Forest Area 976 sq.kms. Other Forests Area 370 sq.kms. Forests not under control of forest Deptt. 748 sq.kms. No. of Wild Life Sanctuaries 32 Others Average Rainfall 1469 mm State Animal Snow Leopard State Bird Western Tragopan State Flower Pink Rhododendron State Language Hindi & Local Dialects Major Rivers Sutlej,  Beas, Ravi, Parbati Major Lakes Renuka, Rewalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Prashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri, Sreolsar, Gobind Sagar, Nako